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OCTOBER, 1933]
KASHMIRI PROVERBS
Gor diván wudi ta wachas
Kambari-pachas dráv na kenh.
The priest is beating his head and breast
[Because] the fortnight of śraddha did not last long.
(Referring to the first half of the month of Asoj, when Hindus make offerings to the
priests in the name of their ancestors.)
Kansen zithi ta zithen kansi gatshan deani.
The young should have the elders, and the elders the young.
(Such a combination means happiness.)
Kashir che par-dwârac.
Kashmir is for outsiders.
(Outsiders have always exploited Kashmir, as its history shows. Its own inhabitants have ever been sadly neglected by unsympathetic foreigners.)
Káv ai chelzen sazi sabaney, Kavas krankněl teali na záh.
Aslas tah kaminas khislat naney
Hani lut kandilas gond bani na záh.
If a crow be washed even with vegetable soap,
Its black colour will never be removed from the crow.
The noble and the mean will disclose their intrinsic natures;
A dog's tail can never change into a crest by being kept in a case.
Lúc kani che baji kani tal věpán.
A small stone fits in beneath a large stone (and then the latter becomes well laid). (This is used as meaning, e.g., that an officer cannot work properly without the help of his subordinates.)
"Májiy! mám hai oy."
"Myon, hov putra, boi."
"Mother! my maternal uncle has come."
"Yes, son, my brother."
Muth myûth katas;
Sas myûth Bhattas;
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Nendar mith drâlid-katas.
Beans are sweet to a ram;
Pulse is sweet to a pandit,
Sleep is sweet to a lazy young man.
Nagara nîrit Pândrenthan.
Going out of the city to Pândrenthan.
(Said of going a very short distance, as Pândrenthan is quite close to Srinagar. The saying, however, can also be interpreted as meaning: Without leaving home, know thyself, i.e., be religious and pious without making any show.)
Pints-kini dapan Wulur pázah.
A finch boasts of draining the Wular Lake. (Said of a vain boast.)
